This review is dedicated to the late José (Joe) Gutiérrez, who played banjo for Piquillín y Los Compadres.

Some bands from Brazil have been reviewed here, so bands hailing from Argentina, the other “big” country in South America, should be sooner or later reviewed too. Piquillín y Los Compadres is a semi-acoustic band that plays songs about girls, football and friendship. Matías Francisco Acosta “Piquillin” (acoustic guitar, lead vocals), Marcos Dominguez (bass, bck. vocals), Joe Gutiérrez (banjo), Pablo “Chirola” Segade (drums, bck. Vocals), Nico Mele (trumpet) and Juan Pablo Taurant (mandolin) recorded their debut album between 2013 and 2014 and it was released in March 2014. Piquillín has previously been gigging solo or duo in the Cordoba area, and fortunately he was able to find the suitable partners (maybe it’d be better to say friends) to develop a full band.

Piquillín y Los Compadresdebut album is an interesting blend of punk, ska and Celtic punk. Don’t be fooled by the back to basics approach: the album includes several amazing numbers.

The disc kicks off with “Jhenny”, a catchy love punk-pop song whose sound reminds me of some Spanish 80’s bands. Track no. 2, "Amor en la pensión" begins with the trumpet and is another song with a Ramones spirit. Curiously, the end has a The Pogues from the "Straight to Hell OST" twist. The next number is called “El Arquero” (The Goalkeeper). The song tells the story of goalkeeper that cannot stop the ball in the 89 minute of the game.

“Chica de Argüello” has a tuna sound, and it’s followed by a great number: “Manuel”. The lyrics for this song are about kids who dream to be the next football stars. Piquillín was born in 1979, but he mentions a couple of players who won the World Cup in 1978, Mario Alberto "Matador" Kempes and Osvaldo "Ossie" Ardiles, together with a local star, Alberto “La Vieja” Beltrán.

Track no. 6 ,means something special to me, since it’s a cover of La Polla Records, a punk band from my area: “Ellos dicen mierda, nosotros amen”. The original song can be found on the band’s 5th studio album (1990).

“Mamaza” features trumpet and accordion and the sound is 100% American. Fans loving the Argentinian The Clash, that is, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, will enjoy this one. “Jubilado” is the best song on the album and features trumpet and Joe’s banjo picking à la The Pogues. The song is so fecking good that the Basque band Esnatu has covered it on their debut album.

The next two numbers are suitable for any St-Patrick’s Day party: a cover of Ewan MacColl “Dirty Old Town” and Piquillín y Los Compadres rendition of “Whiskey in the Jar”.

“Heraldo Bosio” is another football themed song with lyrics from the Siniestro Total school (the so-called Kings of the Couplets): “Y en mis tiempos de ocio / yo escuchaba a Heraldo Bosio”

“La Claudia and La Maria” is a tribute to a couple of girls and “No emocion” is a Ramones via La Polla infused number. It’s followed by “Tipo fiestero”, a catchy festive number featuring trumpet. Jew's harp can be heard on “Promotora”, another pop-punk song.

“Juanito Tergal” is another cover of La Polla (in fact a cover of Chuck Berry “Johnny Be Goode” whose “original” version can be found on La Polla Records “Barman” EP from 1991).

“Mar de Arenas” is another highlight that begins with a bass solo. “Vaya a saber” is about a cyber love. The Internet fees go up and the guy is not sure to be in contact with his love anymore. The album ends with “Jubilatua” a version of the band’s hit “Jubilado” which is sung in Basque language and features bagpipes.

Piquillín y Los Compadresself-titled album is not your standard “Celtic punk” album, but there are a lot of things that Celtic punk fans will love: banjo and mandolin, The Pogues and Ramones influences and a bunch of honest songs straight from the heart. Go to Bandcamp, listen to the album and make up your mind.